Chapter 56: Chapter Fifteen

ADA

Arriving back at the camp, I found Sable sitting by the fire with the baby, rocking him back and forth. I walked up and found a spot next to her. Her eyes widened when she looked at me.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

“Yes. I just beat Silas’s arse,” I said, still trying to catch my breath. I had so much adrenaline running through my veins, I felt like running as fast as I could through the forest.

She took a cloth and held it against my forehead. I had not even realized I was bleeding.

“Come, we will go into the tent and I will clean you up. I think you should get some rest.”

I woke up hours later to find the tent almost completely dark. The coolness of the evening felt refreshing as I climbed out from under the animal skin that was my blanket.

Cay was asleep next to me. I picked him up to nurse him before getting changed into one of my dresses. He latched on immediately and I stared at his darling face.

“I will do whatever I can to protect you in this life. You are my everything,” I sweetly whispered to him. He fell back asleep once his stomach was full, and I gently placed him back into the crib.

I quickly changed into one of my favorite dresses, light green with gold embellishments on the side. I brushed out my hair and braided the same long braid, letting it fall to the front of my body.

With my son in my arms, I left the tent, preparing myself to face Silas once more.

I felt a little too satisfied with myself when I found out Silas had returned to Oranmore that afternoon. He told the group he had pressing business with a visitor from Frankia.

I knew better; he had been made a fool. I felt relieved that I would not have to wonder if Silas would attack me or the baby. Sable called me over to where she and Ciaran sat.

“Lord Ciaran was telling me about the fight. I wish I could have seen it.”

“I admit, it was most exhilarating to watch. Ada is quite skilled,” he said, looking at me. It was the same look he had given me in the kitchen.

I looked away from him. “I hope I did not injure my brother’s self-confidence too greatly.”

“I’m sure he will just use it as fuel against you,” Ciaran said flatly. He was most likely right. He was probably devising another way to undermine me, most likely an explanation for why he lost the fight.

As the night carried on, the men grew a bit too rowdy for the baby. He woke up crying a few times, and I excused myself to bring him back to the tent.

Sable seemed to be enjoying herself, and I did not wish to interrupt her.

The laughter around the campfire grew quieter with every step until my lullaby was the only thing we could hear, allowing the baby to settle down.

I pushed the flap of the tent open and moved quietly toward the crib.

He stirred ever so slightly as I placed him down, and I patiently continued to sing as he adjusted himself a little and fell into a deep sleep.

As I turned to walk over to the water basin, I felt a hand wrap around my mouth and another around my waist.

It was a strong grip and I tried my best to scream, to free my arms, to defend myself, but I could not reach my dagger in the position the man had me.

“Shhh,” the man whispered gently into my ear. I knew that voice. It had been a long time since I had heard it. Tears began to fall from my eyes, and I turned to find Cayden standing in front of me.

“Is it really you?” I asked in disbelief. Cayden’s fingertips touched my temple. He stared into my eyes, tracing the outline of my face.

His hair was longer, or so it seemed, as he was wearing half of it down. His facial hair was different too, something I could not help but touch.

It was not the bare stubble he usually wore. I stared into his eyes, frozen in this moment. For months, I had dreamed of when we would be reunited.

“I have missed you, wife.”

I surged up onto my toes and kissed him. It was the type of touch I had longed for every night we had been apart, sending vibrations throughout my whole body.

Every second that passed, our kiss deepened, giving our hands the freedom to caress each other. I could feel he wanted me, and I started to guide him toward the bed.

After a few steps, Cayden separated us, taking multiple strides backward. I wanted more, needed more, but he kept the space between us.

We breathlessly looked at one another for a moment, regaining our composure.

“That is sure-fire way for both of us to be killed.”

“You mean the three of us,” I said, grabbing his hand to draw him closer to the crib. His face softened in a way I had never seen. He raised his hand and tenderly stroked the baby’s head.

“What is his name?”

“Cayden, son of Cayden.” I smiled at him, placing my hand on his. “I didn’t know if I would ever see you again.

“I wanted to make sure our son carried a name that would destine him to be a great warrior like his father.”

“And his mother… I saw your fight today.”

His expression changed and he signaled for me to stay quiet. We could hear leaves crinkling outside; someone was approaching.

Cayden got down on the ground and crawled underneath my bed. I placed my blanket in such a way that it hung over the end, hiding his body.

“Ada, it’s me. May I enter?” Ciaran asked. I walked over to the entrance and held open the flap for him. He walked through, looking carefully around the room.

“We will have to talk quietly, I just got him to sleep,” I said, pointing to the baby. He walked over to the crib, staring at my son.

I positioned myself between him and the bed, hoping to distract him from looking there.

“He is quite pleasant when he is not crying excessively.”

“Yes, indeed… Can I help you with something?”

“I wanted to see if you had recovered from Silas’s visit.”

“That is kind of you. Yes, I’m fine.”

“And what about your impending marriage?” he asked, looking for any weakness in me. Even though I would remain strong, I was scared Cayden would not be able to contain his rage.

“I will miss Ireland, I’m sure. But if it is for the good of Oranmore, I will carry out my duty with honor.”

“I have no doubt, my lady,” he said, placing both his arms on my shoulders. Since I was the king’s daughter, he was again waiting for me to make a move.

Unlike the servant girls he usually bedded, he knew better than to make the first advance.

I expected he thought I would fall apart in his arms at the idea of my impending marriage, and it would give him the opportunity to comfort me, but I did not budge.

“Well, I shall leave you to slumber.” Ciaran walked to the flap in the tent and lifted it. Before exiting, he turned to me. “Ada, we have come quite close and share a mutual passion for battle.

“I hope you know how intrigued I am by you. You are unlike any woman I have ever met.”

“I thank you for that,” I said, blushing, and quite thankful Cayden could not see my face.

“I hope we can spend some time getting to know one another better before your journey to England.” With that, he left.

I walked over to the exit and listened to his footsteps disappear. Cayden must have been listening too because he shimmied out from underneath the bed. He did not look happy at all.